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KZN municipalities have been given a snapshot of future expansion of Eskom’s electricity infrastructure in the province up until 2024 during the Munimec forum convened by the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in Durban today. The electrification plan complements KZN’s progress in approaching universal access to electricity for its municipal residents.

“It is encouraging to see that the percentages of electrification per district hover well above 80% for KZN, with several districts above 90%. Electricity infrastructure rollout in KZN has been steady, allowing for improved connectivity throughout the province which is fast approaching universal access in many areas,” said KZN MEC for Cogta Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

With Eskom focusing on the municipalities with the lowest levels of electrification, KZN Cogta has requested the power utility to detail all projects that have been earmarked up until 2023/2024 with specific information about connection schedule, electrification infrastructure cost and sub-transmission expansion plan for individual municipal districts.

“As demand for electricity increases, it is reassuring that Eskom continues to plan well ahead for the new connections at the same time as it works to maintain all existing electricity infrastructure. For their part, municipalities are urged to work with Eskom, including in the payment of all outstanding debts which will only fast-track its expansion plans on the ground,” said Dube-Ncube.

In addition to Eskom’s future electricity infrastructure expansion, the Munimec meeting also addressed job creation through the expanded public works programme, title deed restoration, municipal ward delimitation ahead of the 2021 local government elections, the progress in the ongoing agrarian revolution programme and the status of water in the province.

“As Cogta, we pride ourselves on a close cooperation with all 54 municipalities in the province. This cooperation ensures that our municipalities continue to deliver quality services to their residents. Munimec is an important part of our support structure for KZN municipalities where pertinent issues relating to the sphere of local government are discussed robustly and openly,” said Dube-Ncube.

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Resident of the uThukela District, in the Alfred Duma local Municipality have been urged to exercise extreme caution as their area is prone to inclement weather related disasters such as runaway veld fires, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hailstorms and heavy rains resulting in flooding. This as the KwaZulu-Natal department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs under the leadership of MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube launched its summer disaster awareness campaign in the district which took place on Thursday 29 November at the Matiwaneskop Sports Field, in Ward 23 Alfred Duma Municipality.

The event was attended by the Working on Fire team which demonstrated various techniques that can be utilised to combat wild fires.

According to MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube, campaigns such as this one, which have been also launched in the Zululand District, are aimed at raising awareness amongst communities of dangers posed by inclement weather conditions. “Our province every year suffers unnecessary loss of life as a results of heavy rains which lead to flooding, lightning strikes. This loss of life is preventable through educating our communities about measures to take to protect themselves and their families from such incidents. We have urged residents across the province to buy lightning rods as a means to protect themselves from lightning strikes, more especially in areas that are prone to such incidents. We also caution residents to not cross walkway or bridges when there are floods” said Dube-Ncube.

The event was also attended by officials from the department of Finance and Health, who highlighted the importance of spending wisely as the festive season approaches, they also called upon residents to live a healthy lifestyle and to do regular health check for cancer.

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Local government excellence in KZN was celebrated last night, as the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs under the leadership of MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube crowned the province’s best performing municipality at a prestigious ceremony at the Greyville Racecourse in Durban.

The Municipal Excellence Awards, which are an annual feature on the province’s local government calendar, celebrate excellence within our municipalities which through innovation and creativity find ways to bring services to our communities, sometimes under challenging circumstances.

“These Awards are an opportunity to celebrate those who have gone beyond the call of duty to render services to our communities. They encourage our municipalities by rewarding success and by recognising the hard work of many dedicated officials who take their jobs seriously,” said Dube-Ncube.

The following municipalities were crowned as best performing in their categories:

• Best Performing District Municipality: Ilembe DM
• Best Performing Municipality Providing All Services (Special): City of uMhlathuze LM
• Best Performing Medium to Large Municipality:  Okhahlamba LM and Ray Nkonyeni LM
• Best Performing Small Municipality:  Umhlabuyalingana LM

Awards were also given out for Municipalities that got clean audits namely:

• uMzumbe LM
• uMuziwabantu LM
• Okhahlamba LM
• City of uMhlathuze LM
• uMhlabuyalingana LM
• Ray Nkonyeni LM

The Amambo, Crop Production and the Mbabazane Packhouse, and Empangisweni Citrus and Vegetable Production were recognised for the best Best Amakhosi LED Project.

The awards also recognised the municipalities that had the best IDPs.

The MEC for Cogta urged winners to never drop their standards and pursue excellence in every area.

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At the request of the Umzumbe municipal council, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube has today formally authorised a forensic investigation into the affairs of Umzumbe municipal council in terms of section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act.

The investigation will focus on alleged fraud, corruption and maladministration within the municipality. The investigation follows numerous allegations of fraud, corruption and maladministration levelled against senior officials of Umzumbe municipality by various stakeholders, including the local business chamber.

Last week the operations of the municipality were put on a standstill by some stakeholders alleging malfeasance and demanding the immediate resignation of the Municipal Manager.

Umzumbe municipal council then wrote a letter requesting the MEC to launch an independent investigation covering all allegations the stakeholders were raising.

In the interest of good and clean governance, the MEC acceded to the request and has since commissioned the forensic investigations which will commence shortly.

Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act which states that: “If an MEC has reason to believe that a municipality in the province cannot or does not fulfil a statutory obligation binding on that municipality or that maladministration, fraud, corruption or any other serious malpractice has occurred or is occurring in a municipality in a province, the MEC must:

1. a) by written notice to the municipality, request the municipal council or municipal manager to provide the MEC with information required in the notice; or
2. b) if the MEC considers it necessary, designate a person or persons to investigate the matter.”

“As we launch this forensic investigation at Umzumbe, we urge everyone with relevant information here to come forward and assist us in the name of transparency and clean governance in our municipalities,” said Dube-Ncube.

Once the investigative work is complete and a final report is available, KZN Cogta will consider the findings and recommendations and ensure the municipality takes appropriate actions.

The department is urging all parties to allow the investigation to take its cause and cooperate fully.

“We are also urging all entrepreneurs who are participating in municipal tenders to observe the necessary procedures and desist from exerting pressure on municipal officials outside of these procedures. This is illegal and it will be investigated,” said Dube-Ncube.

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The MEC of the KwaZulu-Natal department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has called upon churches to fight against the abuse of women and children. Dube-Ncube made these remarks today at the 40^th Celebration of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA), YMG eMpangeni Circuit 717 which were presided over by the Natal Coastal District Bishop Rev Linda Mandindi.

The celebrations were attended by the Former Presiding Bishop of MCSA and Secretary General of the council of churches Rev, Dr Mvumelwano Dandala, the Mayor of uMhlathuze Local Municipality Cllr Mduduzi Mhlongo and local councillors.

In her address MEC Dube-Ncube praised the Perish located in Esikhawini, for the sterling work that it does to fight against the abuse of women and children abuse and social ills like drug and substance abuse. “Churches play a critical role as a reliable partner to government efforts to create harmony within our communities. The spiritual nourishment they provide helps in the fight against the demons of abuse plaguing our communities” Dube-Ncube.

The MEC called upon the church to continue praying for the well-being of the people of the province more especially as we approach the festive season; “As leaders we need your prayers as the church, our councilors, mayors and Amakhosi need your prayers as we execute the will of our communities” continued Dube-Ncube.

Dube-Ncube’s visit to the perish, is part of government’s efforts to strengthen ties with faith based organisations. “The challenges that we face as a province are vast and require a concerted effort right across all sectors of society. As government we will not be able to succeed on our own” said Dube-Ncube.

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The Minister in the Presidency for Monitoring and Evaluation Dr Nkosaza Dlamini-Zuma has urged women councillors and amakhosi in KZN to use their skills, knowledge and positions to further the cause of women within the sphere of local government and the institution of traditional leadership.

Dlamini-Zuma was speaking today at a leadership summit in Durban where she addressed some 800 women councillors and amakhosi. In her address, Dlamini-Zuma encouraged women councillors to prioritise education as a tool for equipping themselves to be better able to tackle the complex challenges of local government.

“Education is a tool we all have at our disposal as women leaders. Through it, we are better able to position ourselves to lead others in the dynamic and ever-changing sphere of local government and traditional leadership. Let us therefore use education and seize every opportunity we get to acquire it,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

The event known as Women in Leadership Dialogue is a two-day conference hosted by the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and its MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube who established the initiative in 2012 to advance capacity-building programmes specifically designed for women leaders.

This year’s Dialogue dealt with pertinent issues affecting women leaders in local government and in their personal lives. Various guest speakers, who in addition to Dlamini-Zuma included Minister of Cogta Dr Zweli Mkhize, educated women on issues such as balancing work with home responsibilities and personal branding in the age of social media.

KZN Cogta has been implementing various capacity-building programmes aimed at strengthening and stabilising local government in the province. “It is my belief that in order to improve the capacity of our women councillors and amakhosi, we have to take deliberate actions which have specific outcomes, such as this Dialogue,” said Dube-Ncube.

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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Nomusa Dube-Ncube has condemned the brazen armed robbery at her department’s offices in Mayville this morning when unknown assailants entered the premises and pointed firearms at security guards on duty.

The assailants then proceeded to ransack offices and steal computers, laptops and TV screens. One of the department’s employees was also hijacked at gunpoint by the assailants. The employee’s stolen vehicle was later recovered in Newlands.

Dube-Ncube has expressed her shock and outrage at this incident which put many lives at risk. “This incident could have easily resulted in a loss of life. The brazen nature of the incident is truly astounding and the harshest of penalties need to be meted out to its perpetrators,” said Dube-Ncube.

The MEC has also urged community members with information that can lead to the arrest of perpetrators to come forward. Those who have been affected by this incident are now receiving counselling. A case has been opened with the South African Police Services.

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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Nomusa Dube-Ncube has placed disaster management teams on standby, following an alert from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) indicating that severe thunderstorms are expected over the interior parts of the province in the afternoon and evening. The alert indicates that lightning, flash flooding, very strong winds, hail and in some cases, tornadoes can be expected.

 Dube-Ncube has urged residents to take great caution as thunderstorms pose a serious threat to human life. “In our province, bad weather patterns tend to leave a trail of death and destruction in their wake every year. We are therefore urging our communities to take great caution. We call upon motorists to be cautious on our roads and for pedestrians to be extra vigilant and avoid crossing flooded walkways,” said Dube-Ncube.

 “Our disaster management teams are on standby and are keeping a close eye on the developments with regards to these thunderstorms. Municipalities are also on standby to provide shelter to residents residing in low lying areas which are prone to flash flooding. We call upon parents and teachers to ensure that all pupils in their care take safe routes home,” continued Dube-Ncube.

 Communities are urged to take the following precautions:

Precautions: Severe Thunderstorms

If outdoors, seek shelter immediately, but DO NOT seek shelter under a tree, under telephone and/or power lines, on hilltops, in isolated sheds, under unprotected gazebos or picnic areas.

Avoid being near metal objects such as – fences, golf carts, telephone or power lines and steel structures such as pylons and windmills. Do not – hold any metal object, use any electrical appliance, use the telephone, take a bath or shower. Do not play sport during thunderstorms. Golfers and fishermen are at high risk.

If possible, stay indoors well clear of windows shelter pets and cover vehicles, disconnect electrical appliances.

Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.

 For more information contact: KZN Cogta spokesperson Lennox Mabaso, 082 884 2403 or Senzelwe Mzila 0823023472

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